Accessibility statement

Dynamic measurements of neural gain control and visual processing in drosophila models of neurological disease.

Dopaminergic neurons in the brain of a fruit fly

This project used the fruit fly as an experimental model to better understand visual disorders in humans caused by diseases of the central nervous system, including Parksinson's Disease and epilepsy. Forms of these diseases are caused by mutations in genes shared by both flies and humans and in each case damage to the visual system ensues. The neuronal responses of fruit flies to light impulses (Steady State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP) technique) were recorded as a means of assessing the degree of neuronal damage. It was found that damage was picked up by the SVEP technique earlier than by using “traditional” electroretinograms and that the technique therefore had significant potential both for early diagnosis of the disease in humans and for rapid screening of new drug candidates in the flies.

In October 2012 Parkinson's UK awarded a funded PhD studentship on the Role of dopamine and LRRK2 mutants in the decline of vision worth £88,214.

The results of the project were presented at the November 2012 meeting of Parkinson’s UK in York and have led to negotiations with York Hospital and the pharmaceutical company Lundbeck for a collaboration which would analyse the relationship between genetics and vision in a cohort of PD patients.

Supplies of a LRRK inhibitor have been received from Lundbeck for first in vivo testing and Lundbeck are sponsoring Alex Wade to visit Tunisia with a view to screening a cohort of PD patients that frequently (up to 30%) carry the G2019S mutation. The researchers are in negotiation about the suitability of a patent for using gain control in drug testing in flies and are also discussing the possibility of using this procedure in collaboration with an industrial partner.

Press Releases

Principal Investigator

Dr Chris Elliott
Department of Biology

Co-Investigators

Professor Alex Wade
Department of Psychology
alex.wade@york.ac.uk